Delphi is famous as the ancient sanctuary that grew rich as the seat of Pythia, the oracle consulted about important decisions throughout the ancient classical world. Moreover, the Greeks considered Delphi the navel of the world, as represented by the stone monument known as the Omphalos of Delphi.

The Meteora is a rock formation in central Greece hosting one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries, second in importance only to Mount Athos. It is located near the town of Kalambaka at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly near the Pineios river and Pindus Mountains. Meteora is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Program

Let us take you with us to The 3-day Delphi Meteora tour from Athens.

Day One: We will leave Athens for our destination is Delphi. On our way, we will drive through the towns of Thebes and Levadia, climb the mountainous volume of Mount Parnassus and pass by the picturesque village of Arachova.

At Delphi, we will visit the Sanctuary of Apollo Pythios. A place of great importance in the ancient times, as it served as Treasury for the Athenians, as Temple of Apollo and in many other ways. We will then explore the Museum of Delphi and the afternoon will be free time. We will sup and rest in the town for the night.

Day Two: We 'll wake up to discover a majestic mountainous view, enjoy our breakfast and have some free time in the town. We will later leave Delphi for an interesting trip, through Central Greece and the city of Lamia to the town Kalambaka. It will be the place where we'll enjoy dinner and stay for the night.

Day Three: After having a filling breakfast at the hotel, we will visit the magnificent rocky formations called Meteora. It is a particularly impressive scenery of medieval Monasteries that stand suspended between the earth and the sky, on top of gigantic granite rocks. They defy time, protecting priceless historical and religious treasures for centuries. We will visit 2 of these Byzantine monasteries so that you can see the Byzantine treasures with your own eyes.

Our return will pass us by the towns of Trikala, Lamia and the site of Thermopylae, where we will make a short stop to see Leonidas's Monument, dedicated to the Spartans and their allies, that died fighting the Persian army 480 in b.C.

Early in the evening, we will arrive in the city of Athens. This will be the end of our tour « 3-Day Delphi and Meteora Tour From Athens ».

Above the town of Kalambaka, on the north-western edge of the Plain of Thessaly, the visitor encounters a breathtaking site of impressive monasteries “balanced” on massive detached stone pinnacles, 400 metres above the ground. Meteora is one of Christianity’s holiest places as well as a landscape of outstanding natural beauty. Thousands of visitors arrive to this place every year, attracted by the enormous size of the rock formations where timelessness and beauty prevail, while they seek spiritual enlightenment far away from the earthly bustle.

The “stone forest” of Meteora is a perfect combination of natural and manmade landscape, practically inducing a sense of the transcendent. Visitors come here either to feel the aura of the contemplative seclusion of monastic life, and admire a truly unique natural landscape or the outstanding architecture of the monasteries, the so-called “architecture of awe”.

Meteora is the second largest monastic and pilgrimage area in Greece after Mount Athos. The first monks found shelter on these cliff tops fleeing from an invading Turkish army around the 11th century. Several monasteries were built in the centuries that followed and all the building materials had to be winched up in baskets. Until 1920 this was the only means for getting supplies up to the monasteries. According to numerous historical sources, there were once thirty religious communities but today only six of them remain and can be visited.

Package includes

Accomodation of your preference.

Half board basis.

Entrance fee for the archaeological site and the museum of Delphi.

Free pick up and drop off from the centrally located hotels of Athens and the city center.

Entrance fee for two monasteries at Meteora.

Services of a Professional - licensed guide.

Guided tours in the archaeological sites and the museums, which are mentioned at the above program.